Ticket vending apparatus



Nov. 30, 1965 M. DE GENNARO 3,220,269

TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. s, 1965 s sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 30, 1965 M. DE GENNARO 3,220,269

TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 8, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /A/VE/VTOR 47 MAR/o f 65mm/Q0 @New Y .IZ/(49 Y EMA/VMM TTORNEYS Nov. 30, 1965 M. DE GENNARO 3,220,269

TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 8, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 //V VEN TOR @www A 7' TOR/V575 United States Patent O 3,220,269 TICKET VENDING APPARATUS Mario De Gennaro, 25029 Neil Ave., Castro Valley, Calif. Filed Nov. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 322,356 11 Claims. (El. 7d-88) This invention relates generally to ticket vending machines, and more particularly to improvements in tamperproof vending apparatus for use at unattended locations.

Heretofore various devices have been provided to dispense tickets in response to insertion of a coin into a machine, and such devices are often used in conjunction With unattended parking lots or the like. An important requirement of devices of this type is that they eject only one ticket for a specified coin or number of coins, and that they be unsusceptible to theft of additional tickets by manipulation of the coin or dispensing mechanisms. Prior devices often have been complex in providing escapement or blocking mechanisms to achieve the desired function, and thus have been expensive to manufacture. Moreover, many prior devices have not provided optimum ease and reliability of operation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide novel and improved ticket dispensing apparatus of the character described which includes a simpler and less expensive tamper-proof blocking mechanism than heretofore has been provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ticket dispensing apparatus that is extremely simple to operate, and which responds in a positive manner to eject a ticket quickly and reliably in response to the simple unidirectional movement of a manually operable coin slide in receipt of the specied coin or coins.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the present invention, with portions being broken away and shown in an unactuated position prior to dispensing a ticket;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the structure shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional side elevation view on an enlarged scale taken along the plane of line 3 3 as depicted in FIGURE l, but with the coin slide moved inwardly to a position just prior to the ejectment of a ticket;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional plan view taken along the plane of line 4 4 as depicted in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG- URE 4, but showing the apparatus just as the drive mechanism begins to dispense a ticket;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken along the plane of line 6-6 as depicted in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevation view of the escapement and drive mechanisms as a ticket is being dispensed.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevation View of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional `front elevation View taken along the plane of line 9-9 shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional plan view taken along the plane of line 10-10 shown in FIGURE 8.

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Considering a preferred embodiment of the invention in its broader aspects, there is provided a ticket dispensing apparatus including a housing 11 having a pair of spaced parallel vertical wall plates 12 and 13, with a horizontal shaft 1d mounted for rotation between the walls 12 and 13. A pair of sprocket wheels 16 and 17 are secured to the shaft 14 and are adapted to engage a web of tickets 18 for feeding them out of the front face 19 of the housing as the shaft 14 is rotated. A roll of tickets can be mounted between the walls 12 and 13 and guided onto the sprocket wheels in a conventional manner, with the web being transversely perforated to dene each individual ticket which can be easily separated from the roll as it is ejected from the machine.

With regard to the mechanism for rotating the shaft 14, and for preventing unauthorized rotation thereof, there is generally provided a drive arm 21 mounted for sliding reciprocal movement in a guide channel 22, which is mounted on the wall 13. Resilient means such as a tension spring 23 is secured between the housing and drive arm lfor urging the latter towards the front of the housing. Drive means, such as a spring loaded pawl 24 mounted on the drive arm and ratchet pins 26 mounted circumferentially about the shaft 14, enable the shaft 14 to be rotated incrementally to advance the ticket web 18 each time the drive arm 21 is moved forwardly from a rearward position under the :force of the spring 23. A manually operable element such as a coin slide 27 is adapted to engage the drive arm 21 by means of a coupling lever 23 for moving it rearwardly as the coin slide is moved rearwardly. Release means, including a cam surface 29, disengages the drive arm from the coin slide after the arm has been moved sufciently rearwardly to load it against the spring 23, thus enabling the spring to move the arm 21 forwardly on its drive stroke. Blocking means, including an escapement lever 31 and ratchet wheel 32, is adapted normally to prevent operative rotation of the shaft 14. Escapement release means, however, including a dog 33 mounted on the drive arm 21 and a pin 3d mounted on the lever 31, is adapted momentarily to disengage the blocking means from the shaft 14 as the drive arm commences its drive stroke under the force of the spring y23, whereupon the shaft is freed to advance an increment of rotation. The blocking means prevents more than one increment of rotation for each sequence of setting and driving of the drive arm 21.

Considering the preferred embodiment in greater detail, and in particular with regard to the means for operating the drive arm 21, there is seen to be provided on the arm 21 a downwardly extending leg portion 36 having its lower end positioned adjacent the control element 27. The leg 36 abuts against the forward lower portion 37 of the guide channel 22 to limit the forward movement of the drive arm, as best shown in FIGURE 2. Regarding the control element, a stationary guide member 38 extends rearwardly from the front face 19 of the housing, and is adapted to have the element 27 slide reciprocatingly therein. A conventional coin receipt mechanism, including coin openings 39 in the element 27, is provided to prevent inward movement of the element except when proper coins are inserted in the openings. Further means are associated with the element 27 to provide for substantially unidirectional movement of the element once it is started inwardly to operate the apparatus. More specifically, a pair of spaced longitudinal slots 41 are provided in the element 27 with a plurality of spaced longitudinally aligned teeth 42 disposed in each slot. Ratchet members 43 are pivotally mounted on the guide member 38, and are respectively adapted to engage the teeth 42 of each slot 41 so as to prevent return movement of the element 27 once it has commenced movement in the opposite direction. Referring in particular to FIGURE 3, it is seen aaadeeo that the element 27 is positioned intermediate its two eXtreme end positions, and that the ratchet members 43 are engaged with the teeth 42 to prevent return movement of the element to its unactuated position as shown in FIGURES l and 2. A space 44 is provided in each slot 41 in longitudinal alignment with the teeth 42 adjacent the forwardmost end tooth, so that after the element 27 has been moved rearwardly a predetermined distance the ratchet member will fall into the space 44 thereby disengaging the teeth 42. At this point the element 27 becomes adapted for return movement to its unactuated position. A tension spring 46 is provided for positively urging each ratchet member into engagement with the teeth 42. The purpose of the above described means for effecting substantially unidirectional movement of the control element will become evident hereinafter in conjunction with the description of the escapement mechanism.

In order to move the drive arm 21 rearwardly in response to rearward movement of the control element, the coupling lever 28 is provided with a hook portion 47 adapted to engage the lower end of the drive arm eX- tension leg 36. A spring 48 normally urges the hook portion into operative engagement with the leg. A second portion 49 of the coupling lever 2S preferably is disposed below the hook portion 47 and is adapted to engage the previously noted cam surface 29. After the drive arm is moved rearwardly to a predetermined position, best shown in FIGURES and 6, the cam surface 29 forces the coupling lever 28 against the spring 43 to disengage the hook portion 47 from the leg 36, whereupon the drive arm is free to move forwardly under the force of the tension spring 23.

With respect now to the blocking means of the present invention for preventing unauthorized ejection of tickets from the web 18, it is noted that the lower end 51 of the blocking lever 31 is resiliently urged into blocking relation with the stepped surfaces 52 of the ratchet wheel 32, by means of the tension spring S3. The pin 34 is slidably mounted on the upper end portion of the lever 31 for movement in a direction transverse to the plane of pivotal movement of the lever 31. A spring S4 resiliently urges the pin 34 into a normal position disposed in the path of movement of the dog 33 which is mounted on the drive arm 21. The rear surface 56 of the dog 33 is inclined to provide a cam action against the pin 34, so that as the drive arm is brought rearwardly in response to operation of the control element, the cam surface 56 pushes the pin 34 out of the way of the dog without moving the blocking lever 31. After the dog is moved to a position rearwardly of the pin 34 the latter returns under the force of the spring 54 into the path of the dog. To release the blocking lever from the ratchet wheel 32, the forward surface of the dog 33 is provided as a shoulder 57 adapted to engage the pin 34 and pivotit in a clockwise direction (as viewed for example in FIGURE 3) when the drive arm is returned forwardly on its drive stroke. As the drive arm continues to move forwardly the pin 34 moves upwardly relative to the dog 33, as indicated in FIGURE 7, until the dog passes beneath the pin whereupon the blocking lever 31 is returned to its normal position blocking further movement of the shaft 14.

During the interim while the blocking lever is released from the ratchet wheel 32, the drive pawl 24 engages one of the pins 26, which are preferably secured in circumferentially spaced relation on the ratchet wheel 32, and advances the shaft for 120 of rotational movement. Since the blocking lever is returned to its blocking position prior to completion of the return stroke of the drive arm 21, the shaft is prevented from rotating more than 120. It is noted that the pivotally mounted drive pawl 24 has a spring 58 to urge it in a clockwise direction, limited by the stop pin 59, consequently the pawl will move counterclockwise against the spring 5S as it is moved rearwardly over a pin 26 while the drive arm 21 is being set, and then is urged in a clockwise di- 4 rection to place it in position for operative driving engagement with the pin 26. Another limit pin 6ft limits the counter-clockwise pivoting of the drive pawl 24.

As the pawl 24 is moved rearwardly over a pin 26 it is appreciated that a slight rotational force is exerted on the shaft 14 tending to move it in a reverse direction. If such reverse rotation occured the particular pin 26 could be moved out of the operative path of the drive pawl 24, so that upon the drive stroke of the arm 21 the pawl would fail to engage the proper pin 26 for advancing the ticket web. Consequently, a second ratchet wheel 61 is mounted on the shaft 14, in reverse relation to the ratchet wheel 32, and is best seen in FIGURE 4. A pawl 62 is pivotally mounted on the housing 11 and is urged into blocking relation with the ratchet wheel 61 by means of the spring 53, which as shown is connected between the pawl 62 and blocking lever 31 thus serving two functions. The pawl 62 and ratchet wheel 61 prevent reverse rotation of the shaft 14, while allowing forward operative shaft rotation as controlled by the blocking lever 31.

The relative positioning of the dog 33, pin 34, cam surface 29, and control element space 44 is very important in controlling the operation of the instant apparatus. In particular, it is seen that the cam surface 29 is positioned to enable the dog 33 to move rearwardly of the pin 34 prior to releasing the drive arm for its return drive stroke. Thus the dog and pin operate to release the blocking lever on the drive stroke. In addition, it is important that the space 44 be positioned so that the element 41 is not freed for return movement until after the cam surface has disengaged the hook portion 47 from the leg 36 and the return stroke of the drive arm has commenced. For this reason a person cannot manipulate the control element forwardly when the apparatus is positioned as shown in FIGURE 3 to release the blocking lever 31 and then pull the ticket web freely from the machine as the shaft 14 rotates unhampered by the blocking means. This will become clear from the following description of the operation of the instant apparatus.

In operating the apparatus just described, proper coins are inserted in the openings 39 thus enabling the element 27 to be moved rearwardly. As the element 27 is moved rearwardly, the hook portion 47 engages the leg 36 thus causing the drive arm 21 to move rearwardly along with the element 27. As the dog 33 engages the pin 34 the pin is moved out of the dogs way against the spring S4, until the drive arm and dog are positioned as shown in FIGURE 3 with the pin 34 returned to its normal position in the path of the dog 33. At this instant the hook portion is still engaged with the leg 36, and consequently the spring 23 is restrained from returning the drive arm 21 forwardly for its drive stroke. If the ratchet member 43 and teeth 42 were not provided to prevent forward return movement of the control element 27, a dishonest person could controllably move the element 27 forwardly a sucient distance to have the dog 33 pivot the blocking lever 31 out of blocking relation to the ratchet wheel 32. While the control element was then maintained in this position the tickets could be pulled without restraint from the machine. Thus it is seen that the unidirectional movement of the control element 27 coacts with the blocking lever and ratchet wheel to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of tickets. Continuing now with the sequence of steps in operating the apparatus, as the element 27 is moved further rearwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 3, the cam surface engages the coupling lever portion 49 to release the drive arm for forward movement under the force of the spring 23. Additional rear ward movement of the element 27 finally places the ratchet members 43 in the spaces 44, enabling return movement of the element. It will be appreciated that once the return movement of the drive arm has com-- menced that there is no opportunity for overcoming the blocking means. The spring 2.3 causes the arm 21 to move swiftly and unrestrainedly towards its unactuated position without any possibility of controlling its movement. During this return stroke the blocking lever is mometnarily released from blocking relation to the ratchet wheel, but the spring 53 returns it to its normal blocking position before the drive arm has completed its stroke, as already described hereinabove. Consequently, after the shaft has been advanced the specified increment of rotation, the only way to cause further advancement is by inserting additional coins in the element 27 and repeating the foregoing sequence.

An alternative embodiment of the invention with regard to the means for releasing the drive arm for its return stroke is shown in FIGURES 8-10. More specifically, in this embodiment the pivotal coupling lever 28 is eliminated, and in its place a stationary hook portion 71 is mounted in iixed position on the slide element 27 and is adapted to engage the modified leg portion 72 when it is in its normal position. The leg portion 72 of the alternative embodiment is pivotally mounted on the drive arm 21 for pivotal movement in a plane disposed perpendicularly to the vertical plane aligned with the drive arm. Thus the leg portion '72 is movable from and toward the housing wall 13, as indicated by the phantom line representation of the leg 72 in FIGURE 9.

As more particularly regards the structure for pivotally mounting the leg portion 72 on the drive arm 21, it is seen that a pair of spaced bracket members 73 and 74 are secured to the drive arm 21 and extend laterally away therefrom. A pivot pin 76 is secured between the bracket members 73 and 74, with the leg portion 72 being pivotally mounted on the pin 76. An extended portion 77 ,is secured to the bracket 73 and extends outwardly therefrom, with a tension spring 78 being secured between the portion 77 and leg '72 for urging the latter into a normal position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 9. The leg portion 72 can be urged inwardly against the force of the spring 7S towards the wall 13. A stop member 79 is secured to the bracket member 74 and is disposed in blocking relation to the upper portion of the leg 72 for limiting its movement away from the wall 13 under the force of the spring 78. Thus the stop member 79 determines the normal position of the leg 72.

When the leg 72 is in its normal position, it is disposed for engagement by the hook portion 71 as the slide element is moved rearwardly. Thus in a manner similar to that described with regard to the first embodiment of the invention, as the slide element is moved rearwardly it forces the drive arm likewise to move rearwardly by the force transmitted through the leg portion 72. In order to disengage the leg 72 from the hook portion 71, a cam member 81 is mounted on a wall 13 and has a cam surface SZ for engaging the leg 72. As the leg 72 moves rearwardly into engagement with the cam surface 82 it will be appreciated that the leg 72 is pivoted inwardly against the force of the spring 78 until the leg '72 is disengaged from the hook 71. When such disengagement occurs, the drive arm is free to move forwardly in the manner already described with regard to the first embodiment of the invention.

The operation and construction of the above described apparatus will be seen to be quite simplied as compared to prior arrangements, and particularly insofar as only a single blocking lever 31 and ratchet wheel 32 is required to achieve the desired function. The unidirectional ratchet mechanism controlling movement of the element 27 is usually provided as a standard part of a conventional coin receipt mechanism, and thus need not be individually constructed as a part of the dispensing apparatus. The spring operated drive arm and release mechanism therefor enables the whole dispensing function to be accomplished by a single inward movement of the manually operable element 27, without having to pull the element back in order to cause ejection of the ticket. Thus after the ticket is ejected the element 27 can be easily returned since it is not performing any opelative 6 function and is not restrained against such return movement.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ticket vending apparatus, the combination comprising, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a iirst position to a second positiony means for preventing return movement of said element to said first position after it has been moved towards said second position, a drive arm mounted on said housing for movenient in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, coupling means for coupling said element to said drive arm for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element towards its second position, blocking means for normally preventing rotational movement of said shaft in one direction thereof, drive arm release means for disengaging said coupling means from said drive arm after said element has been moved to a position short of said second position thereby releasing said drive arm for movement in said one direction under the force of said resilient means, release means for disengaging said blocking means from said shaft after said coupling means is disengaged from said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive arm in Said one direction thereof after said blocking means is disengaged from said shaft.

2. In a ticket vending apparatus, the combination comprising, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a `lirst position to a second position, means for preventing return movement of said element to said rst position after it has been moved towards said second position, a drive arm mounted on said housing for movement in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, a coupling lever pivotally mounted on Said element and having a hook portion adapted to engage said drive arm for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element towards its second position, means resiliently urging said lever into position for engagement with said drive arm, blocking means for normally preventing rotational movement of said shaft in one direction thereof, a cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said coupling lever for pivoting `said lever to disengage said hook portion from said drive arm, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion after said drive arm has been moved in its other direction by said element to a position corresponding to a position of said element spaced from said second position thereof, release means for disengaging said blocking means from said shaft after said hook portion is disengaged from said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof in response to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said blocking means is disengaged from said shaft.

3. In a ticket vending apparatus, the combination comprising, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a first position to a second position, means for preventing return movement of said element to said rst position after it has been moved towards said second position, a drive arm mounted on said housing for movement in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, coupling means for coupling said element to said drive arm for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element towards its second position, drive arm release means for disengaging said coupling means from said drive arm after said element has been moved to a position short of said second position thereby releasing said drive arm for return movement in said one direction under the force of said resilient means, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a blocking lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having one end resiliently urged into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel for selectively preventing rotation of said shaft in one direction thereof, release means for disengaging said lever from said ratchet wheel in response to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said coupling means releases said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said blocking lever is disengaged from said ratchet wheel.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said release means comprises a dog provided on said drive arm and movable therewith along a path adjacent said blocking lever, a pin slidably mounted on said other end of said blocking lever and normally resiliently urged into a position intersecting said path of said dog, said dog being adapted to slide said pin out of its path upon movement of said drive arm in its other direction, and said dog being adapted to engage said pin to pivot said blocking lever out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel in response to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said coupling means releases said drive arm, said drive arm release means being adapted to release said drive arm for movement in said one direction thereof after the latter has been moved in its other direction a sufficient distance to place said dog in position for operative engagement with said pin for pivoting said blocking lever.

5. In a ticket vending apparatus, the combination comprising, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a first position to a second position, means for preventing return movement of said element to said first position lafter it has been moved towards said second position1 a drive arm mounted on said housing for movement in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, a coupling lever pivotally mounted on said element and having a hook portion adapted to engage said drive arm for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element towards its second position, means resiliently urging said lever into position for engagement with said drive arm, a cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said coupling lever for pivoting said lever to disengage said hook portion from said drive arm, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a blocking lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having one end resiliently urged into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel for selectively preventing rotation of said shaft in one direction thereof, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion after said drive arm has been moved in its other direction by said element to a predetermined position corresponding to a position of said element spaced from said second position thereof, release means for disengaging said lever from said ratchet wheel in response to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said coupling lever is disengaged from said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said blocking lever is disengaged from said ratchet wheel.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said release means comprises a dog provided on said drive arm and movable therewith along a path adjacent said blocking lever, a pin slidably mounted on said escapement lever for movement transversely to the panel of pivotal movement of said blocking lever and resiliently urged into a position intersecting said path of said dog, said dog having a cam surface engageable with said pin for moving it out of said path upon movement of said drive arm in its other direction, said dog having a shoulder for engaging said pin to pivot said blocking lever out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof, and said predetermined position of said drive arm being such as to place said dog shoulder in position to engage said pin for pivoting said blocking lever after said hook portion is released from said drive arm.

'7. Ticket vending apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination,

a housing,

a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing,

a manually operable control element mounted on said housing for reciprocal sliding movement, a plurality of longitudinally spaced gear teeth provided on said element, a ratchet lever pivotally mounted on said housing adjacent said element and adapted to engage said teeth to limit continuous movement of said element to one direction, said element being movable between two longitudinally spaced positions in which said ratchet lever is not engaged with said teeth, said ratchet lever being engageable with said teeth during movement of said element from one said position to the other to prevent return movement of said element to said one position until the element is moved completely to the other,

a drive arm mounted on `said housing for reciprocal sliding movement in spaced relation to said shaft and generally parallel to said control element, an extension leg provided on said drive arm and disposed generally adjacent said control element,

first spring means for urging said drive arm in one direction,

a coupling lever pivotally mounted on said element and having a hook portion adapted to engage said leg for moving said drive arm in its other direction when said element is moved in said other direction from a first of its said positions towards the second of said positions,

second spring means normally urging said hook portion into position for engagement with said leg,

a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft,

a blocking lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having one end resiliently urged into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel selectively to prevent rotation of said shaft in one direction thereof,

a dog provided on said drive arm and movable therewith along a path adjacent said blocking lever,

a pin slidably mounted on said blocking lever for movement transversely to the plane of pivotal movement of said lever and resiliently urged into a position intersecting said path of said dog, said path being substantially parallel to said plane,

said dog having a cam surface engageable with said pin for moving it out of said path upon movement of said drive arm in said other direction, said dog having a shoulder for engaging said pin to pivot said blocking lever out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof,

a second cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said coupling lever for pivoting said lever against the force of said second spring means to disengage said hook portion from said leg, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion from said leg after said drive arm has been moved in said other direction a sufficient distance to place said shoulder in position for engagement with said pin but prior to said element reaching its second position,

drive pawl and ratchet means for rotating said shaft an increment of movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive arm in said one 9 direction thereof after said blocking lever is pivoted out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel, said dog shoulder being adapted to disengage said pin to return said blocking lever into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel after each increment of rotation of said shaft,

and second pawl and ratchet means for preventing rotation of said shaft in its other direction.

8. in a ticket vending apparatus, the combination comprising, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a first position to a second position, means for preventing return movement of said element to said first position after it has been moved towards said second position, a drive arm mounted on said housing for movement in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, a coupling leg member pivotally mounted on said drive arm and resiliently urged into a normal position, a hook portion provided on said element adapted to engage said leg member when in its normal position for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element towards its second position, blocking means for normally preventing rotational movement of said shaft in one direction thereof, a cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said leg member for pivoting the latter to disengage it from said hook portion, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion after said drive arm has been moved in its other direction by said element to a position corresponding to a position of said element spaced from said second position thereof, release means for disengaging said blocking means from said shaft after said hook portion is disengaged from said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof in resopnse to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said blocking means is disengaged from said shaft.

9. In a ticket vending aparatus, the combination comprising, a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing, a manually operable control element movable from a first position to a second position, means for preventing return movement of said element to said first position after it has been moved towards said second position, a drive arm mounted on :said housing for movement in two opposed directions, means resiliently urging said drive arm in one of said two directions, a coupling ileg member pivotally mounted on said drive arm and resiliently urged into a normal position, a hook portion provided on said element adapted to engage said leg member when in its normal position for moving said arm in its other direction in response to movement of said element toward its second position, a cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said leg member for pivoting the latter out of engagement with said hoop portion, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a blocking level pivotally mounted on said housing and having one end resiliently urged into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel for selectively preventing rotation of said shaft in one direction thereof, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion after said drive arm has been moved in its other direction by said element to a predetermined position corresponding to a position of said element spaced from said second position thereof, release means for disengaging said lever from said ratchet wheel in response to movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said coupling lever is disengaged from said drive arm, and drive means coupled to said drive arm for rotating said shaft an increment of rotational movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof after said blocking lever is disengaged from said ratchet wheel.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said release means comprises a dog provided on said drive arm and movable therewith along a path adjacent said blocking lever, a pin slidably mounted on said blocking lever for movement transversely to the plane of pivotal movement of said blocking lever and resiliently urged into a position intersecting said path of said dog, said dog having a cam surface engageable with said pin for moving it out of said path upon movement of said drive arm in its other direction, said dog having a shoulder for engaging said pin to pivot said blocking lever out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof, and said predetermined position of said drive arm being such as to place said dog shoulder in position to engage said pin for pivoting said blocking lever after said hook portion is released from said drive arm.

11. Ticket vending apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination,

a housing,

a shaft mounted for rotation on said housing,

a manually operable control element mounted on said housing for reciprocal sliding movement, a plurality of longitudinally spaced gear teeth provided on said element, a ratchet lever pivotally mounted on said housing adjacent said element and adapted to engage said teeth to limit continuous movement of said element to one direction, said element being movable between two longitudinally spaced positions in which said ratchet lever is not engaged with said teeth, said ratchet lever being engageable with said teeth during movement of said element from one said position to the other to prevent return movement of said element to said one position until the element is moved completely to the other,

a drive arm mounted on said housing for reciprocal sliding movement in spaced relation to said shaft and generally parallel to said control element, an eX- tension leg pivotally mounted on said drive arm and disposed generally adjacent said control element,

first spring means for urging said drive arm in one direction,

second spring means for urging said extension leg in a direction toward said control element, a stop member provided on said drive arm for limiting the movemnt of said extension leg under the force of said second spring means and for defining a normal position of said extension leg,

a hook portion mounted on said control element and disposed in the path of said extension leg when in its normal position and adapted to engage the latter for moving said drive arm in its other direction when said element is moved in said other direction from a first of its said positions towards the second of said positions,

a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft,

a blocking lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having one end resiliently urged into blocking relation with said ratchet wheel selectively to prevent rotation of said shaft in one direction thereof,

a dog provided on said drive arm and movable therewith along a path adjacent said blocking lever,

a pin slidably mounted on said blocking lever for :movement transversely to the plane of pivotal movement of said lever and resiliently urged into a position intersecting said path of said dog, said path being substantially parallel to said plane,

said dog having a ca-m surface engageable with said pin for moving it out of said path upon movement of said drive arm in said other direction, said dog having a shoulder for engaging said pin to pivot said blocking lever out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel upon movement of said drive arm in said one direction thereof,

a second cam surface provided on said housing in the path of a portion of said extension leg for pivoting the latter against the course of said second spring means to disengage said hook portion from said leg, said cam surface being positioned to disengage said hook portion from said leg after said drive arm has been moved in said other direction a sufcient distance to place said shoulder in position for engagement with said pin but prior to said element reaching its second position,

drive pawl and ratchet means for rotating said shaft an increment of movement in said one direction thereof upon movement of said drive anni in said one direction thereof after said blocking lever is pivoted out of blocking relation with said ratchet wheel,

said dog shoulder being adapted to disengage said pin to return said blocking lever into blocking relation With said ratchet Wheel after each increment of r0- tation of said shaft,

and second pawl and ratchet means for preventing roation of said shaft in its other direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1921 Lyle 74-17.S 7/1922 Stone 74-88 

1. IN A TICKET VENDING APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING, A HOUSING, A SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON SAID HOUSING, A MANUALLY OPERABLE CONTROL ELEMENT MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION, MEANS FOR PREVENTING RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT TO SAID FIRST POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN MOVED TOWARDS SAID SECOND POSITION, A DRIVE ARM MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT IN TWO OPPOSED DIRECTIONS, MEANS RESILIENTLY URGING SAID DRIVE ARM IN ONE OF SAID TWO DIRECTIONS, COUPLING MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID ELEMENT TO SAID DRIVE ARM FOR MOVING SAID ARM IN ITS OTHER DIRECTION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT TOWARDS ITS SECOND POSITION, BLOCKING MEANS FOR NORMALLY PREVENTING ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SHAFT IN ONE DIRECTION THEREOF, DRIVE ARM RELEASE MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID COUPLING MEANS FROM SAID DRIVE ARM AFTER SAID ELEMENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO A POSITION SHORT OF SAID SECOND POSITION THEREBY RELEASING SAID DRIVE ARM FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID ONE DIRECTION UNDER THE FORCE OF SAID RESILIENT MEANS, RELEASE MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID BLOCKING MEANS FROM SAID SHAFT AFTER SAID COUPLING MEANS IS DISENGAGED FROM SAID DRIVE ARM, AND DRIVE MEANS COUPLED TO SAID DRIVE ARM FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT AN INCREMENT OF ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT IN SAID ONE DIRECTION THEREOF UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID DRIVE ARM IN SAID ONE DIRECTION THEREOF AFTER SAID BLOCKING MEANS IS DISENGAGED FROM SAID SHAFT. 